Means and method for transporting loose material



Jan. 1, 1924 1,479,378

K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed June 23, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 1,1924

K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed June 25, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Jan. 1,

, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 25 ATTORNEY Jan. 1,

K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed June 23, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL Jan. 1, 1924 Q 1,479,378

INVENTOR ATTOREY Jan. 1 a

9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 23 ATTO'RNEY Jan. 1, 1924 i,479,378

K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL Fil'ed June 25, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 *f L J 141 I 146 12 I T 15 L" T INVENTQR ATT RNEY Jan. 1, 4 1,479,378

K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL Filed June 23 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 m I Q ATTORNE Jan. 1, 1924 v 1,479,378

1 K. DAVIS MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE MATERIAL' Filed June 23, 1919 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Jan. 1, 1924.

xnmzn'rn DAVIS,

or sea 'nnnnmc'r, rmm'srrvnnm, nssrenoa 'ro ammmrr PEALE, OF ST. BENEDICT, PEN'NSYLVLN1L MEANS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING LOOSE'MATEBIAL.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, KENNETH DAVIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Benedict, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Means and Methods for Transporting Loose Material, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a system of transporting, loading, unloading, and otherwise handling loose material, the system in certain of its aspects being, particularl adapted to. transporting coal through an mine; the invention relates also to a mechanism adapted for use in transporting, loading, unloading-and otherwise handlmg loose material, such as coal, and in certain aspects thereof, to so transporting and. otherwise handling coal from the mine workings and delivering it into railway cars or othertransportationmeans exterior to'the mine, or other-source of supply of such loose material.

Objectsand advantages of the invention will be set forth hereinafter in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be ascertained through practice with the invention; such objects and advantagesbeing attained and realized through the instrumentalities and combinations .pointedout in the appended claims.

The inventlon cohsistsi'n' the novel steps,

system, parts, constructions, arrangements, combinat ons and improvements hereln shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, herein referred to and constituting a part hereof, illustratethe practiceorcarrying out of the system and one embodiment of themechanism,

the same serving with the description to explain the rinclples of the invention.

Of the rawings:-

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan of one end of the transporting system, showing the mechanism for shifting trans orting units from one train to the cooperating train;

Fi 2 is a fragmentary elevation, correspon in% substantially to Fig. 1, and looking at ig. 1 from the bottom thereof as shown on the sheet;

7 Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged, separate defrom a part, and 1n Application filed June 23, 1919. Serial No. 306,154.

tails of the devices for fastening together and unfastening from each other the transportation units to unite them to and to detach them from the trains;

Fig. 6 is. a transverse section, on an enlarged scale,'taken onthe line 6-6 of Figs. 1' and 2, and illustrates. certain structural features of the transportation units;

Fig. 7 isfa transverse section, on an enlarged scale, similar to Fig. 6, taken on the line 7-7 of Figs. 1 and 2;.

Fig. Sis-a transverse section, on an enlarged scale,similar to Figs.- 6 and 7, taken on the line 8-8 of Fi 'Fig. 9 is an enlarg side elevation of the device for unloading the material from the transportation .units, and showing it cooperating with one of the transportation units with the structural details of the latter omitted;

..1 and 2;

Fig. 10 is a top plan; corresponding to I Fig. 9; v Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevation, with parts in section, of the means for transferring the transportation units successively travel ng 1n one direction to from the train that ,--traveling in the opposite direction;

Fig. 12 is a top plan,.on a reduced scale,

corresponding to Fig. .11;

Fig. '13isan ehlarged,fra entar lan of the clutch and drive meci nism shliwn at the lower right handv corner ofr-Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a top and with parts 0 the mechanism omitted, showing intersecting transportation systems and the transference of the transported material from one system to the other;

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation, likewise diagrammatic in character and with parts omitted, taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14, I and showing the upper transporting systems in elevation;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing the two ends or terminals of a transportation system with the unit switching or transferring devices operating at each end or terminal to conveyv the successive units from the train traveling in one direction to that traveling in the other, and effecting the endless cycle of the system.

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic plan of the .in-

plan, partly diagrammatic the face of the 1 other workings to the cross entries and therefrom to the main entry, and finally into railway car's without the mine; and

Fig. 19 is a detail of the control for the unit switching or transferring system.

The invention comprises'a system operating automatically to transport loose material, such as mined coal or the like, from workings or other source of supply, into railway'cars or other final conveying means, without shoveling or other usual handling or when applied to a mine, without the use of the usual mine cars, mine locomotives and the like. The. system a d apparatus also transports the material, su h as coal, from a plurality of workings or sources of supply, as for instance from all parts of the mine simultaneously, without any source or part being held up or delayed by waiting for another. The system also provides when applied to a mine for quickly removing dislodged or shot-down coal from the faces of the rooms, or other workings, immediately and quickly, without any room, group of rooms or other part of the workings delaying any other part, and thereby effecting uick clearin of mined coal, and thereby leaving the races of the workings open for the greater part of the time for undercutting and dislodging the coal, thus greatly from a given amount or area of mine openings.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, illustrating'byv wayfof. example one embodiment of the invention, "a system of two cooperating transporting trains traveling in opposite directions are provided,

each train consisting of a plurality or se-' ries and usually a very large. number, of uniform or standard transportation units, each such unit in succession as it reaches the end of the transportation route or path being automatically detached from the head of its train and transferred to and attached to the tail of the train traveling in the opposite direction.

Theseries of connected together or concatenated units occupy the entire length of the path of travel of the. train, and this is true of each of both parallel cooperatin series, the units traveling continuously an the transference of units from the head of one train to the tail of the other going on continuousl at each end. The form of transportation units is such that the maincreasing the output and 14, which are gressed thereby by reason attached one to v length of the train. If desired, however,-a

nevasre terial may be dumped thereinto irrespective. of the position of the units, as the train presents a continuous traveling receptacle for the reception andtransportation of the loose material, whether it comes regularly are likewise successively unloaded of the coal or other loose material being'conveyed. The unloading mechanism also operates without interfering with the travel of the transportation units in the train, and ir-' respective of the passing successively of one unit after another.

The conveyor units in the preferred embodiment comprise. a bottom 1,- and sides 2 and 3, with open, unobstructed ends.

. The conveyor units are preferably provided with an underneath frame, preferably of rectangularly disposed, connected together. channel beams 5. The side walls of the conve or unit, and the bottom as well, are slightly ofi-set or shouldered at one end, as shown at 7, in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the units at their juncture will fit one within the other, the inside edges being arranged away from, that 1s, so as not to strike. the unloading chute, as shown in Figs. 1,, 2 and 9.

A suitable guide-we or track-way and progressive means for t e train of transporting units are provided, and as embodied, an axle 10 is mounted in "the bottom frame 5, suitable reinforcing blocks 11 and 12, fitted into frame 5, being preferably used. Upon the'ends of the axle are wheels or rollers 13 preferably provided with transversely curved peripheries, as shown in Fig. 6, as best adapted for the transverse motion of the units when transferred across from one train to another as already referred to and later described in detail. The track-ways are of any suitable form, and are shown herein as each comprising angle platesl5 and 16, laid end to end and upon ties 17, much in the fashion of ordinary rails,

the

iving or traveling means for each train of transportation units is provided, and as embodied such means are located at one end of the train of transportation units, the train of transportation units' being proof such units being the other throughout the plurality of traveling or driving devices may be provided at different points along ascents attaching it to the tail of the receding or traveling away train,and thus maintaining the endless cycle in either direction.

In Fig. 1 an arrangement is shown where in Or whereby the train of transportation units going in one direction is controlled as to speed by the train of units traveling in the opposite direction, such controlling means being located at one end of the two trains. Such a system is adapted for use in a mine slope or other location where the units are impelled in one direction by the action of gravity, the power driven train controlling the speed of the gravity driven train, so that the transferred or switched over units can attach themselves to the tail of the gravity driven train,

Referring more in detail to the driving means, the preferred embodiment comprises an electric motor 25, the pinion 26 of which meshes with a gear 27, which gear is fixed on a shaft 28. Fixed also on the shaft 28 is a sprocket wheel 29, over which runs a sprocket chain 30', the sprocket chain 30 at the other end thereof running over a sprocket wheel 31. Firxed upon the sprocket chain 30 are driving lugs 32, with which cooperate pins 33, which project horizontally outwardly from the bottom frames 5 of the transportation units. As the mechanism is referably constructed, a plurality of the ugs32 are simultaneously in engagement with a plurality of the pins 33 upon a single transportation unit, or upontwo successive units, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

There are preferably similar devices upon the opposite side of the transportation unit and track, and as shown in Fig. 1, shaft 28 extends across beneath the track, and fixed upon the opposite end of the shaft is a sprocket wheel 35, over which runs a sprocket chain36, said chain at the other end thereof likewise runningover a sprocket wheel 33.

Lugs 39 are carried upon the chain 36, similar to the lugs 32, which lugs cooperate with pins 40, similar to the pins 33, already described. I

As already stated, such a drivin mechanism may be provided at each en of each train traveling in opposite directions and cooperating together (as shown in Fig. 16), one train bringing the transportation units loaded with material in one direction, and the other train conveying the empty units engaged therefrom, As such traveling in the opposite that of in the opposite direction, switched or shifted from one train to other, at each end of the route.

In the embodied form. of means for automatically connecting together and disconnecting the transportation units in proper time relation to the thereof from one train to the other, (the mechanism and manner of the switchin or shifting. being later described), a coup ing hook is provided pivoted at 46 upon one transportatlon unit and hooking over a a7 upon the next ad'acent transportation unit. The embodied orm of disconnectin means comprises an arm 17' fixed to the hoo 15, and havin to enga e wit a tripping cam 49, mounted alongsi e the track, whereby the hook 45 is rocked clear of the pin head transportation unit of the train is disunit joins or of the other train, direction, a pin 50 upon the hook 45, engages with a tripping cam 51, likewise mounted alongside the track, and the hook i5 is thereby lifted, as such added unit approaches, the hook being then dropped behind. the pin d7 of the transportation unit just ahead, and the approaching unit is thus fastened to the tail end of the train or series, or the bevel nose of hook 45 will serve to hook it over pin 47,

Referring now to the mechanism in Fig. 1,

approaches the tail end whereby the speed of the train going in one direction is controlled and. synchronized by a projecting pin 4C8 adapted the units being the switching or shifting 4:7 andthe end or i the driving mechanism for the train going in the opposite direction, as for instance,

the descent of the train on a mine slope would be controlled from the motive power for the ascending train, as embodied, upon the shaft 38 is fixed a pinion 54: meshing with a'pinion 55 fixed on a shaft 56. Fixed also on shaft 56 is a sprocket wheel 57, over which runs a sprocket chain 58, said chain at its opposite end running also over a sprocket wheel 59. The chain 58 is provided with lugs 60, similar to the lugs 32 already described, and co-operating therewith are pins or stops 61 pro ecting from the side of the transportation units, which pins are similar to or identical with pins 33 already described. In this case however, the lugs are would be the bottom train in Fig. 1. In this instance also, as embodied, there are corresponding'devices on both sides of the train. For this purpose the shaft 56 extends across beneath the track and upon the opposite end of the shaft is fixed a sprocket wheel 62,

over which runs a sprocket chain 63, said chain at its opposite end running also over a sprocket wheel 64. This chain is provided with lugs 65, cooperating with pins 66, projecting from the sides of the transportation units, and corresponding to or identical With pins 40.

The unloading device, as already referred to, is located near one end of the path of travel of the loaded transportation train, and in accordance with certain features of the invention it operates automatically without interfering with the travel of the train and requiring no workman or overseer. As embodied, it comprises a chute 70 preferably substantially rectangular in cross-section, and of a Width to fit within the transportation units, the conveyor being upwardly inclined in the direction of travel of the loaded trainof units, and extending to a height sufiicient to clear the sides of the transportation unit. The chute 70 is provided with vertical sides, 71 and 72. At a height just greater than that of the transportation unit the chute is curved outwardly to one side, and preferably after passing a suitable distance laterally clear of or away from the transportation units, the chute is curved downwardly to facilitate the discharge of the loose material into any suitable receptacle. The general arrangement of the present preferred embodiment of the unloading device is shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Auxiliary unloading means cooperating with the chute may be provided if desired. In Fig. 9 there is shown such means cooperating with the unloading device, as previously described, although with many materials and installations, the use of this auxiliary device will be found unnecessary. As shown, it comprises a power driven endless belt conveyor 74, running over rollers 75 and 76,

and having a series of flights 7? located within and traveling upwardly along the chute 70 to carry the material up and along the same. The conveyor 74 may be driven in any usual or suitable-manner, or by a motor in the usual manner, such devices not being shown. By the mechanism just described, each unit is unloaded and cleared of the transported material as the unit travels along in its connected relationship in the transportation train, and is thus emptied just previously to being switched or. transferred from the head of the train to the tail of the train traveling in the opposite direc: t-ion.

Referring now to the embodied form of means for shifting the units successively from one train to another, there is provided just at the point of detachment of the unloaded unit, or rather of the successive units from the head of the train, a traveling means running at a higher speed than the train of fixed thereto a ea ers units going in either direction, whereby a detached unit may be separated from its train, may be traveled or shifted transversel from alinement therewith into alinement with the other train traveling in the opposite direction and may catch up therewith and be attached thereto, that is, to the tail end of the last unit of the train as already described. By such speeding up of the detached units, they are enabled to leave one train of transportation units and to arrive at the tail of the other train in time to be attached to the last unit thereof without causing any breaks in. the continu ty of the train.

As embodied, such means comprises two endless belts or endless platforms arranged side by side at the same horizontal level and traveling in opposite directions at higher speed than the trains of transportation units, as stated. Cooperating with these high speed platforms are means for transve'rsely moving the unit from one of said belts or platforms to the other. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, l1 and 12, an endless belt is arranged longitudinally and horizontally in alinement with the end of the loaded train, which would be the bottom train in Figs. 1 and 12, and the left-hand train in Fig. 11. This belt and the cooperating beli. 89 are preferably built of parallel metal slats, andfare mounted, endless sprocket chains sprocket wheels 82 (shown only for belt 89). The sprocket wheels for belt 80 are mounted upon a shaft 84:. As embodied, belt or platform 89 is driven from the drive for belt 80. motor 25 through an idler 85, which idler mesh-es with the gear 27 and also with a gear 8t fixed on shaft 84. Shaft 84 has gear 87 meshing with a gear 88, which latter gear is fixed on shaft 83, which gives the requisite difference in d1- rection for the belts 80 and 89. The shaft 83 thus drives the belt 89, which is in longitudinal and horizontal alinement with the empty or returning train of transportation units, shown at the top in Figs. 1 and 12, and at the right hand in Fig. 11. Suitable idler sprocket wheels, shafts, bearings. etc, are also provided for supporting and guiding the belts 80 and 89 similar to those shown at the right-hand end of Fig. ll.

Referring to the means cooperating with the high speed belts or endless platforms for shifting the units from one apron to the other and thereby bringing the successive transportation units from alinement with one train into alinement with the other train and for reversing the direction of travel and for speeding each unit up so that it will join the tail of the other train, the embodied form thereof comprises a buffer rail 90 which engages the discon- 81, running on respectively, upon- Shaft 84 is shown driven fromaavaevs form, are

the advancing transportation unit, whereby the chains make one complete cycle of travel, and the butter bar one complete reciprocation. That is, bar 90 is moved from the solid to the dotted line positions in Figs. 11 and 12 and .back again thereby pushing the transportation unit rom the apron 80 to the apron 89, and returning to position to act upon the next advancing transportation unit. A bridge piece 98 is interposed between the two aprons upon which the wheels or rollers 13 and 14 slide across from one apron to the other.

Referrin to the driving means for the actuating c iains 96 and 97 for the louder bar 90, chain 96 runs over sprocket wheels 99 and 100. h'xed wheel 100 is a gear 102, with which meshes a gear 103, which gear is fixed on a shaft 104, mounted in suitable bearings and 106. Fixed also to said shaft 104 is a gear 107, with which gear meshes a gear 108 fixed upon the shaft of a sprocket wheel 110. Sprocket chain 97 runs over sprocket Wheel 110 and also over a sprocket wheel 111.

In the embodied form of the cooperating means for'efiecting a single cycle of movement of the bufier bar 90, there is fixed on shaft 84 a bevel gear 112, which meshes with a bevel gear 113, which latter gear is sleeved loosely upon a shaft 104. Fixed to gear 113 is a clutch member 114. A cooperating clutch member 115 is splined to shaft 104 to rotate therewith but is-slidable therealong. The clutch member 115 is provided with. suitable actuating means, comprising as e m bodied an annular groove 116 therein with which groove engages pins 117 carried upon a yoke lever 118, which lever is pivoted at 119.

Means are provided controlled by the advancing unit to throw in the clutch 114, 115 and cooperating therewith are means actuated by the chains 96 and 97 reaching the end of one complete rotation or cycle for again throwing out the clutch. In the embodied form thereof, a lever 120 is arranged in the path of travel of the detached trans porta'tibn unit, which is rapidly approaching upon the belt 80, the lever being thereby actuated to throw electric switch 121, which through circuit 122 energizes a solenoid 123, the core 124 of which is'pivotally connected by a rod 125 to the clutch-controlling lever 118. A spring 126 works against the sole- At their op osite ends,j.

onthe shaft of sprocket noid to throw out the clutch. The bufier bar 90 is suitably utilized for the urpose of throwing the lever 121 so as to e-energize the solenoid 123 and throw out the clutch 114, 115, at the end of one complete cycle of movement or rotation. For this purpose (see Fig. 19), switch lever 121 has its end rounded, as shown at 130., and is provided with a one-way pivoted joint 131, with a cooperating spring 132. Thus as the boiler bar 90 passes the switch lever in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 19, the upper end of the lever snaps against the spring and the lever is not moved. As the boiler bar 90 comes back in the opposite directioi- 'it en ages switch lever 121, now in the dotte line position of Fig. 19, and throws it back to the full line position, thereby opening the solenoid circuit 122, de-energizing the solenoid, and the clutch 114, 115 is thereby opened. The have one reciprocation for each unit which is detached, the unit being thereby transferred from apron 80 to apron 89.

The transferred unit is positioned transversely on apron 89, to which it has been transferred, by the stop which brings it in line with the return track, and when it has been speeded up and forwarded to the end of the departing train of units, its wheels 13 and '14 are received and exactly alined by the flaring ends 136 and 137 of the outgoing tracks '15 and 16 (Fig. 1). This insures each transferred unit coming back in ample time, and being properly positio ned or alined, and attaching itself to the tail of the last previous departing unit.

In Figs. 14 and 15 are shown, more or less diagrammatically, a junction of two cooperating transporting systems, the trains of one system discharging their transported material into the other system- The general description already given will apply to the mechanism shown in these figures, the direction of travel of the varioustrains being indicated by the arrows.

In a general system of this kind, both the trains of one system, traveling in both directions, which system may be termed the supplying system, may be employed for transporting material and a plurality or such supplying systems may empty their transported material into a single receiving or final system. Thus only the final or receiving' system, having one train of units which discharges into the railway cars will have the empty returning train. That is, referring to Fig. 14 trains 140 and 141 traveling in opposite directions and cooperating together, so far as the shifting of units at the ends of their path of travel is concerned, would each transport the loose niaterial, such as coal, to the'receiving or final transporting system, each of the two trains 140 and 141 transporting the material from bufler bar will thus.

its

op osite directions, and both in the present em odiinent discharging the transported material into the train 143 of the cooperating pair or system of trains 143 and 14A.

' Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic showing of any two cooperating trains, which at their two ends shift units from one to the other, 1rrespective of whether the trains discharge their material at or near the ends of their path or travel, or at some substantially cen' tral or intermediate point, as shown in Figs. 1a and 15, and irrespective of whether both trains convey or transport material or whether one train only does so, and the. other train merely returns the empty units.

The arrows in Fig. 16 indicate the endless travel of the units and of the trains with their constantly changing succession of units. The switching devices at each. end of the tracks are designated generally as 138 and 139, and may he like those shown in Figs. 1, 11 and 12, and already described... The general arrangement of Fig. 16 may be regarded as applied to the trains shown in the other figures, such as Figs. 14, 15, 17 and 18. Such an arrangement maintains a solid train of transporting units traveling in each direction for each system or pair of trains, whatever may be the relation of various systems to each other.

Means are provided by the invention, in accordance with one of its features, for can loading the transported material from one train to another, and usually from a train of one system or pair to a trainer another system or pair, and as embodied a chute 142 is employed for this purpose, (Figs. 14- and and operation to the chute shown in Figs. 9 and 1G. The coo crating conveying means, such as the iiigl t conveyor 74, may also be employed if found desirable or necessary. The conveyor 142 transfers the material from train 140 to train 143.

To insure the deposit of the transferred material in train 143, a hopper 1 15 is preferably employed to receive the material from the chute 14-2 and direct it into the units of train 143. A chute 146 and hopper 1a? are also employed for transferring the transported material from train 141 to train 143. in the embodiment of Figs. 14 and 15, train 1 16 comes loaded from the right, and train 14-1 comes loaded from the left, both discharging into train 143., while train 14a returns the empty units for train 143; trains 1 26 and 1 11 exchanging their units at both termini, as shown in Fig. 16, and trains 143 and 144i cooperating in like manner.

In Fig. 17 the mechanism and arrangement of Figs. 14; and 15 are shown applied to a mine worked on the room and entry system, such showing being exemplary and not res retire in character. in connection iil1W oa& are shown transporting reache 7 posits sides of the main entry which may be similar in construction arrears nism for carrying the coal from the room faces and depositing it in the trains of transportation. units. -The transportation means shown in the'rooms, in more or less diagrammatic form, may be substantially the same as that shown in my c0 ending ap plication S. N. 352,928, filed fanuary 21, 1920.. i

Fig. 17 shows a practical coal mine installation, wherein the coal irornrooms 147' and 148 are conveyed from the room faces in continuous streams, as rapidly as it is mined or dislodged, by the respective transportation devices 149' and 150, which discharge the coal into the train of units 151, whic latter may be regarded as corresponding to the train 141 of Figs. 14 and 15.

- he cross entries 162 and 163 are preferably directly in line with each other on op- 164, whereby one set of. unit switching devices atthe face or inner end of each entry will do for the transporting systems of both entries 162 and 163. These are not shown in Fig. 17 but will he understood by reference to Figs. 16 and 18. By placing a switching mechanism upon the other side of the main. entry from. a cross entry, it could be operated singly, that is, without the alined cross entry.

In entry 163 the rooms 152 and 153 are shown supplied with coal transporting mechanism 15a and 155, respectively, which both discharge into the train of units 156, which may be regarded as corresponding to the train E0 of Figs. 1a and 15.

Bischarging devices 157 and 158 are shown discharging the coal from trains 151 and, 156, respectively, into train 156 in the main entry 164, and these may be regarded as corresponding to the chutes 14-2 and 1&6

or Figs. 1a and 15, already described. The cooperating trains or pair of units 159 and 169 in the main entry 164. may be regarded as corresponding to the trains 1.43 and 14.4.-

oi Figs. 1a and 15, and need not be described in greater detail.

in this arran ement of Fig. 17, and referring also to 4 igs. 1t, 15 and 16 therewith, the material is transported as quickly as mined, from the rooms to the entry, and is innnediately transported in both directions by the two cooperating transportation trains which receive the coal from the room trans porting devices in the cross entries at each side of the main entry, and is transported along the main entry withoutthe handling of cars, the waiting of cars or trains of cars on each other, and without one room or en try waiting on the other.

in Fig. 18 is shown diagrammatically a substantially complete mining system, so

far as the main essentials are concerned, with reference numerals applied thereto as in the preceding figures and description,

nevaaee tive rooms at either side of themain entry.

all working,'that is being operated or supplying coa The transporting .train, or rather pair of cooperating trains, for two cross entries in alinement at either side of the main entry ispractically a unit as in Fig. 17 having one unit transferring mechanism 138 at one end of one cross entry and a unit transferring mechanism 139 at the end of the other cross entry. Each train of the-pair conveys coal from the rooms therealong to the train in the main entry, substantially in the manner described in connection with Figs. 14 and 15. The cross entries are not essentially arranged in'alinement across the main entry, but this is an eflicient and economical system of working.

It will be noted also that any member of cross entries upjto the full carrying capacity of the transporting train of the main entry maybe simultaneously worked, and

. that all the rooms and entries may be simultaneously operated without waitin'gfor, or interference from, the others, and without delays resulting from. each other, as already described.

In Fi 18 alsois shown mechanism for discharging the coal from the mam entry transportation system directly into a train of railway cars on a siding. A discharge mechanism 165, which may be generally similar to that shown in Figs. 9 and 10, may be employed, dischargin into a gravity chute 166, or other suitab e device, which in' turn discharges into the cars 167' on thie railway siding 168.

It will be understoodlthat changes may be made from the mechanisms, constructmns,

and arrangements shown and described without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is 1. A transpoiting mechanism for loose material in bul including in combination a plurality of concatenated transporting units, a trackway along which the; travel, another plurality of concatenate transporting units, a trackway along which they travel in the opposite direction, and automatically operating means at the ends of the trackway for shifting the end unit transveisely of itself from the coming units to the going .units.-

2. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of transporting units connected together at their ends in a longitudinal series, a trackway along which they travel a plurality of trans orting units connecte together at their en 5 in longitudinal series,

a trackway along which they travel in the opposite direction, means for detaching one unit at a-time from oneseries and attaching it to the series traveling. in. the opposite direction. y

3. A transporting mechanism for loose materialin bulk including in combination a plurality of concatenated transportingsunits, a trackway along which the travel, another plurality of concatenate transporting units, a trackway along which; they travel in the'op osite direction, and means at the ends of t e-trackway for detaching and shifting the end unit from the coming units to the going units, and means" for removing the material from a transporting. unit before it is so shifted. 4. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of concatenated transportin units, a-'trackway along which they trave another plurality of concatenated transport- 95 ing units, a trackway along which they travel, in the opposite direction, and means at the ends of the trackway for shifting the end unit from the coming units to the going units and means for. elevating and removing the vmaterial from and over the trans. porting unit before it is so shifted.

' 5. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of transporting units having 9 bottoms and sides and open at both ends, a

trackway along which they travel in connected series, another connected series of similar units, a trackway alongwhich they travel in the opposite direction, and means for transferring successively the head unit "from one series into connected relation with the tail of the other series.

6. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination 1 a" plurality of transporting units having bottoms and sides and 0 en at both ends, a trackway along which t ey travel in connected series, another connected 'series' of similar units, a trackway along which they travel in the opposite direction, and means for transferring successively the head unit from one series into connected relation with the tail of the other series, and means for detaching a unit from the head of one series and attaching it to the tail of the other series. a

7 A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combinationaplurality of transporting units having bottoms and sides and 0 en at both ends, a trackway along which t ey travel in eon-v nected series, another connected series of similar units, a trackway along which they travel in the opposite direction, and means for transferring successively the head unit previous to its transfer.

8. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of transporting units having bottoms and sides and open one into another at both ends, a trackway along which they travel in connected series, another connected series of similar units, a trackway along which they travel in the opposite direction, and means for transferring successively the head unit from one series into connected relation with the tail of the other series, and means for elevating and removing the loose material from and over a unit previous to its transfer.

9. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of concatenated transporting units opening one into another, a trackway along which they travel, another plurality of concatenated transporting units, a trackway alongtwhich they travel in the opposite direction, and means at the ends of the trackway forshifting the end unit from the coming units to the going units, and means for removing the material from a transporting unit comprising an inclined chute within the passing conveyor units and discharging laterally over the side thereof,

10. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of transporting units connected together at their ends and opening one into another. in a longitudinal series, a trackway along which they travel, a plurality of transporting units connected together at their ends in longitudinal series, a trackway along which they travel in the opposite direction, means for detaching one unit at a time from one series and attaching it to the series travcling in the opposite direction, and means for removing the material from a transporting unit comprising an inclined chute within the passing conveyor units and discharging laterally over the side thereof.

11. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of transporting units having hotseries of similar units, which they toms and sides and open one into another at botlr ends, a trackway along which they travel in connected series, another connected a trackway along travel in the opposite direction, and means for transferring successively the head unit from one series into connected relation with the tail of the other series, and means for removing the material from a transporting unit comprising an inclined chute within the passing conveyor units and discharging laterally over the side thereof.

12. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for travelin them along the traolis in two trains in difi erent directions, two high speed avaars conveying means side by side at the end-of the trackways, and means for shifting a unit from one of said high speed conveying means to the other.

13. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel t-raclrways, a plurality of concatenat-ed transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in ditterent directions, two high speed conveying means side by side at the end of the trackways, and means for detaching a unit from the head of the advancing train and delivering it to one of said high speed conveying means.

14. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in different directions, two high speed conveying means side by side at the end of the trackways, and means for detaching a unit from the head of the advancing train and delivering it to one of said high speed conveying means, and means for transferring said unit from said high speed conveying means to the other high speed conveying means to bring it to the tail of the departing train.

15. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways transversely passing the firstnamed trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in opposite directions, and means for transferring material from one train to another.

16. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trainsin opposite directions, two parallel trackways transversely passing the first named trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks'in two trains in opposite directions, and means for transferrmg material from one train to another while they are so traveling.

17. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combinati n two parallel trackways, a plurality of 00%- catenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in opposite directions, means for automat ically transferring a unit from one of said trains to another, two parallel trackways extending transversely ast the first-named trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in opposite 4 directions, and means for transferring material from one train to another train on a 5 transversely extending trackway.

, 18. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means 1 for traveling them along the tracks in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways extending transversely past the first-named trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units and means for traveling them along the'tracks in two trains in opposite directlons, means for antomatically transferring a unit from one of said trains to another, and means for transferring material from one train to another I train on a transverselyextending trackway while they are so travehng.

19. A transportingv mechanism for loose material in bulk' including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units, the units be ing. open at both ends, and means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, means for automatically transferring a unit from one of said trains to another two parallel trackways extending transversely past the first-named trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in. two trains in $5 opposite directions, meansjor automatically transferring a unit from one of said trains to another and means for transferring material from one train to another. 1

I 20. A transporting mechanism .for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality 'ofconcatenated transportation. units, the units being open at both ends, and means for traveling them alongthe trackways in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel track-' ways extending transversely .pastthe firstnamed trackways, a plurality ofconcatem. ated transportation units means for travel ing them along the trackways in two trains 501 in opposite directions, and means for transferrmg material from one train to another including an upwardly inclined chute within the, assing units of one train to elevate and ,un oad the material therefrom and dis charging into another of said trains;

21. A transportin mechanism for loose material in-bulk inc uding incombination two paralleltrackways, a pluralityof concatenated transportation units, the units being 0 en at'both ends, and means for traveling t em along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways extending transversely ast the firstnamed trackways, a plura ity of concatenawd transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trams in opposite directions, and means for transferring material from one train to an other, including an upwardly and outwardly inclined chute within the passing units of W one train to unload the material therefrom and discharging into one of said transversely passin trains.

22. transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination 7 two parallel t'rackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways extending transversely past the F first-named trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, means for automatically shifting a unit from one of W said trains to another, and means for transferring material from a plurality of said trains into another of the trains.

23. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination W two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite irections, two parallel trackways transversely passing the first- W namedtrackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the traclswa s in; two trains in. opposite directions, an means for simultaneously transferring material from a pluraility of. said trains into anotherv of the trainswhile they are all so traveling.

' 24. A transporting 'mechanism' for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel, trackways, a plurality of con,- 5% catenated'trans ortation units, the units w ing open at hot ends, and means for traveling them along the tr'ackways in two trains in opposite drrections', two parallel trackways extending transverse] pastthe first-, 3m named ,trackways, a plum ity of concatenated transportation 3 units means for traveling them along the trackwa-ysin two trains in opposite directions, and means for trans ferring material from one train to another, g3 including inclined chutes within the passing units of each of a plurality of said trains to unload the material therefrom, aid chutes discharging into another of said trains.

25. A trans orting meohainism for loose materialin buli includin in combination two. parallel trackways, a p urality of concatenated trans ortation units, the units being 0 not hot ends, and means fortraveling t em along the trackways in two trains'in opposite directions, two paralleltrackways extending transverse] past the first-named trackways, a" plum ityof concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in .we

opposite directions, and means for trans ferring material from one train to another, including an inclined chute within the passing units of each ofthe trains on one pair of said parallel trackways to unload the material therefrom, said chutes discharging into one of the trains on a transversely extending trackway. i 26, A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination. two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in; opposite directions, two parallel trackways transversely passing the firstnamed traekways, a plurality of concatenated transportation unit's, means for travcling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, and means for transferrmg material from one train to another, and means automatically transferring units successively from the head of one train to the tail of the other on the same pair of trackways.

27. A transporting mechanism' for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation unit-s means for traveling them alon the traclrways in two trains in opposite irections, two parallel trackways transversely passing the firstnamed trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways invtwo trains in opposite directions, and means for transferring material from one train to another, and means automatically transferring units successively from the head of one train to the tail of the other on each pair of trackways. i

28. A transporting mechanism for loose a material in bulk including in combination till two parallel trackways, a plurality of com catenated transportation units, the units be ing open at both ends, and means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways transversely passing the first-named tra'ckways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trainsin opposite directions, means for transferring material from one train to another, and means automatically transferring units successively from the head of one train tothe tail of the other on the same pair of trackways.

29. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units, the units being open at both ends, and means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways transversel passing the first-named trackways, a p urality of concatenated auras-re transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, means for transferring material'from one train to another, an inclined chute with the passing units of one m train to unload the material therefrom and discharging into another of said trains, and means automatically transferring units successivelyv from the head of one train to the tail of the other on the same pair of track ways.

30. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combinatlon two parallel trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units, the units be- 99 ing open at both ends, and means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, two parallel trackways transversely passing the first-namedtrackways, a plurality of concatenated 8 transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, means .for transferring material from. one train to another, an inclined chute within the passing units of one train to unload the material therefrom and discharging into another of said trains, and means automatioall transferring units successi-vely from the ead of one train to the tail of the other on each pair of trackways.

trackways, a plurality of concatenated transportation units means for traveling them along the trackways in two trains in opposite directions, means for transferring material from one train to another, an inclined chute within the passing units of each of the trains on one pair of said parallel trackways to unload the material therefrom, said chutes discharging into one of the trains on a. transversely passing trackway, and means automatically transferrin units successively from thehead of one train to the tail of the other on each pair of track'ways.

32. A mine transportation system operating in a main entry and in a cross entry extending transverse y to the main entry including in combination a continuous train of concatenated transportation units, means for traveling them along the main entry, and a train of concatenated transportation units, means for traveling them along the crossentry and means for dischar ing coal into the train in the main entry $10111 the train in the cross entry while, the trains are in motion 33. A mine transportation system oper- 11% Levee-re ating. in a main entry and in a cross entry extending transversely to the main entry ineluding 1n combination a continuous tram of concatenated transportation units ening one into another, means for trave ing main entry while the trains are in motion.

34. A mine transportation system operating in a main entry and in a cross entry extending transversely to the main entry including in combination a continuous train of concatenated transportation units opening one into another' means for traveling them along the main entry, and a train of concatenated transportation units opening into one another, means for traveling them along the cross entry and means for discharging coal into the train in the main entry while the trains are in motion and coal transportation devices discharging coal from a pluralityof workings into the moving train in the cross entry.

35. A mine transportation system operating in a mainientry and in a cross entry extending transversely to the main entry including in combination a pair of continuous trains of concatenated transportation units, means for traveling them along the main entry, a pair of continuous trains of concatenated transportation units, means for traveling them alon two-cross entries at either side of the mam entry and across the main Entry, and means for transferring the coal from the cross entry trains to the outgoing main entry train.

36. A mine transportation system operating in a main entr and in a cross entry extending transverse y to the main entry including in combination a pair of continuous trains of concatented transportation units opening one into another, means for traveling them along the main entry, a pair of continuous trains of concatenated transportation units opening one into another,

means for traveling them along two cross entries at either side of the main entry and across the main entry, and means for transferring the coal from the cross ent trains to the outgoing main entry train w ile the trains are traveling.

37. A mine-transportation system operating in a main entry and in'a cross entry extending transversely to the main entry including in combination a pair of continu ous trains of concatenated transportation units opening one into another, means for traveling them along the main entry, a pair of continuous trains of concatenated transportation units opening one into another, means for traveling them along two cross entries at each side of the main entry and across the main entry, and means for transferring the coal from the crossentr trains to the outgoing main entry train w ile the trains are traveling and means. in the cross ent f for loading coal simultaneously from trains.

urality of workings into the traveling 38. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination together forming an open longitudinal carrier, and an upwardly inclined chute with its bottom end within and close to the bottom of the units, and means for traveling the units past the chute, means for attaching the units to, and detaching them from, each other, and means for automatically operating said attaching and detaching means.

- 39. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of concatenated units, each unit having two sides and a bottom, the units together forming an open longitudinal carrier, and an upwardly inclined chute with its bottom end within and close to the. bottom of the units and its top end directed outwardly to one side of the units, and means for traveling the units past the chute, means for attaching the units to, and detaching them from, each' other, and means for automatically operating said attaching and detaching means.

40. A transporting mechanism for loose mg means.

11. A transportin mechanism for loose material in bulk inc udin in combination a plurality of concatenate units, the units aving bottoms and sides, but being 0 en at the ends and connecting one with anot er, a trackway, and means for traveling the units along the trackway, means for attaching the units to, and detaching them from, each other, and means for automatically operating said attaching and detaching means.

42. A transporting mechanism for loose material in bulk including in combination a plurality of concatenated'units, the units having bottoms and sides, but being open at the ends and connecting one with another, wheels upon which the units are mounted,

past the chute, means for 

